Machu Picchu, Peru: Hotel Sumaq

With travel stalled around the world, virtual travel gives us an opportunity to experience destinations from home.  This virtual tour of Machu Picchu will inspire you to visit when travel is restored. –Travel Squire Editors

The long and arduous trek to the enigmatic landscape of Machu Picchu, a 4-hour trip by train from Cuzco, then a strenuous climb up to “The Citadel” is difficult enough for even the most intrepid traveler.  Why suffer through it without padding a little bit of luxury onto the experience? A stay at The Hotel Sumaq is the answer and will quell your fears about over exertion and altitude sickness. A Luxury Edition member hotel, it offers an inspiring atmosphere and personalized service.

Welcoming Luxury

Standing sentinel at the bottom of a steep hill that forms the main street of the tiny town of Aguas Caliente, the hotel, completely refurbished in 2016, rises from the dense foliage at the ascent point of the long hike or drive up to Machu Picchu. A babbling brook (the Vilcanota River, essentially the “aguas”) traverses the full length of the property’s exterior, which looks vaguely Alpine from the outside, and an endless stream of trekkers seen from the window of a front-facing suite forms a fitting tableau for the epic Andean adventure at your fingertips.

To be truthful I was flat out dead by the time I stumbled through the front door, hellbent on achieving only one immediate goal – to crawl into a bed and get some sleep. I confess that I clambered off the train with enough bags in tow to satisfy a luggage firm and wondered how in the world I’d descend the perilous incline down to the hotel without a tumble. Enter a pert and friendly porter from the hotel who mysteriously appeared out of the ball of confusion at the station to help us (Hint: Be sure to arrange this with the hotel staff by providing your arrival time).

Within minutes we were staring at a massive framed panel of gold artifacts as we swung open the door. I was informed later that it was an interpretation of Chacana, the Andean cross symbolizing the 3 wars of the Incan culture. The club-like lobby presents a bold continuation of this Incan theme and it marries well with the locale.  A full-blown decorative scheme with more than 300 pieces of art depicting Incan & Peruvian culture, including ceramics, textiles, metallurgy and fine art is anything but subtle.  I’d go so far as to say it’s “spiritualizing” and manages to infuse a stay here with a kind of mystical sensibility.

Luxury Meets Lore and Legend

Machu Picchu is steeped in lore and legend and this luxury property takes full use of the reference. Public spaces are richly detailed with intricate replications of gold masks and body armor along with bold, patterned textile weavings stretched to large canvas size. A magenta, orange, purple and red color scheme prevails. Each floor of the hotel represents one of the 4 Elements:  Fire, Air, Water and Earth. Floor 1 and 2 are the most elaborate with a profusion of ornamental gold, like a wall of ceremonial masks in reception depicting the Legend of the Ayar Brothers. Floor 2 houses the restaurant and terrace where a Private Tasting Menu is offered as a romantic option for couples or a special treat for small groups up to 20.

Superb Accommodations

This is a boutique property with 62 spacious guest rooms in 3 categories – Deluxe (59), Junior Suite (2) Imperial Sumaq Suite (1) – and 26 rooms have balconies. Interiors are superbly appointed and embellished with exotic marquetry details that look custom. Decorative accents continue the Peruvian themes like sectional brown leather headboards that represent Incan bricks. Deluxe rooms have both 120 and 220V outlets, 2 USB ports, and marble baths with tub and rain shower. Coffee makers with Peruvian artisanal coffee are standard and minibars are stocked with complimentary bottled water, soft drinks and beer.

The Junior Suites face the mountains and come equipped with double-sized Jacuzzi tubs, premium Espresso machines, upgraded Clarins amenities and fully stocked mini bars with sparkling wine. The Imperial Suite has a much larger Jacuzzi bath for 2 and 2 mini bars with local spirts like Pisco as well as a mini wine cabinet. In-room spa slippers are locally made.

Connecting with Local Culture

In keeping with the momentous experience that attends a visit to Machu Picchu, this is a hotel that aims to provide an element of adventure to its guests so much so that the extracurricular program menu is off the charts. The guest experience connects visitors with the local culture, through everything from the cuisine to the numerous special activities.

Start with a visit to the Suquy Bar where Oscar, the jovial barman, will impress you with his finely honed mixology skills.  Schedule a Cana tasting – an undiscovered Peruvian spirit that forms the base for the ambitious cocktail program featuring 3 types of cocktails – Joven, Reposado and Botanizado. First, he’ll have you taste a local fruit from the marketplace to set the mood like an Airampo, a kind of cactus that turns drinks a beautiful magenta color. Then try a few rounds of his liquid artistry, in cocktails like the Saqra, the Forastero, the Cacao and the Maras, an Andean Manhattan.

Peruvian Flavors

Schedule a Private Tasting Dinner with Lima born Chef Carlos Figueroa who researches, creates and highlights the true flavors of Peruvian cuisine expressed from the heart of the Andean culture.  Alternatively (and if you’re really getting into the spirit of Peru) don’t miss booking a Pachamanca. This traditional practice of giving offerings to Pachamama, Mother Earth, has been passed down from the time of the Incas, as ancient Peruvians held Pachamama sacred.

The meal is essentially dubbed an “earth pot” and is made in the ground. Stones are placed to form an underground oven for ingredients such as lamb, potatoes, fava beans and aromatic herbs. Then they’re covered with large leaves before the oven is sealed within the earth. When everything heats and the aroma fills the air, lunch is ready to enjoy with a glass of “chicha de jora”, a fermented corn drink that is typical from the time of the Incas.

Mystical Machu Picchu

Lastly, there is that looming excursion to “The Citadel” which is why you’re here. Take this to heart. Hotel Sumaq guests can more fully experience the dramatic occasion leisurely, rather than planning an exhausting day trip from Cusco, where most of your time is in transit. The hotel’s proximity to the site makes it possible to take things at a relaxed pace, spending time delving deeper into it by taking advantage of the immersion experiences. Should you be interested in further elevating the adventure consider their Mystical Machu Picchu Experience, a tour led by a private guide and accompanied by an authentic Peruvian shaman who will reveal the cosmic side of the Andean wonder.